Bethlen Almanac 2001 (Ligonier)
The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America
watching television were scenes of people of Hungary fighting in the early 1950s. That was 100 years after Kossuth began his battle for liberty to the eastern European nation. After the large version of the Hungarian flag was pulled off the statue to reveal it to the crowd, members of the Kossuth on State committee officially presented it to the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors and the county. Kossuth’s own country was represented at the statue dedication also, with Ambassador Géza Jeszenszky speaking to the crowd and reading a letter from the president of Hungary. “This is certainly a great moment not only for me, but for the people of Hungary.” Ambassador Jeszenszky said. “The fact that a county in Iowa is named after Kossuth is more than a sign of respect for his personality,” the letter read. “It is a connection between the two countries.” As a teacher by profession, the ambassador said he loves to see people learning. “In the last few months, the citizens of Algona have had an opportunity to learn about the man whose name this county bears,” the ambassador said. “It must be a source of pride for you that your county is named after such a statesman.” The statue, he said, is not just a memorial to Kossuth, but is also a credit to the determination of the people who settled in Iowa, including a community of Hungarians who settled in the southeast comer of the state. “Let this statue be a reminder of Hungary and its struggle - and of Hungarians who escaped communism to the United States in that time,” he said. “Millions of Hungarians looked up to the United States for inspiration and support over the last two centuries.” “Long live the freedom of Hungary and long live our countries.” Ambassador Jeszenszky said. The Algona Upper Des Moines The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America was one of the sponsors of the Kossuth statue, and was represented at its unveiling by HRFA Director Joseph Kovács and his wife Maria. 81
